C43 AMG Questions

C43 AMG Questions

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George 500

Original Poster:

647 posts

225 months

Thursday 18th October 2007
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Sorry guys just a couple of quick questions:-

1) Are C43's reliable (conscious that they are starting to reach "that" kind of age) and are there any known problems?

2) What are running costs like?

The context of this is that I need to buy a car to commute/motorway bash in. I have a TVR and an old Midget as well so have the irrational side of the garage stocked so to speak. As a consequence was just about to buy an automatic 330i (52 plate with 46k miles) before some b*gger at work brought one of these up and suddenly I'm feeling the urge to do something stupid. Someone talk me out of it!!

Chris944_S2

2,004 posts

230 months

Friday 19th October 2007
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I've had my C43 for 5 months now, covered over 5000 miles and nothing's gone wrong yet.
I've got receipts for approx £5500 for the last 4 years, so this should give you an idea of running costs to keep the car in top condition.

The biggest known issue is the Gearbox. The changes should be very smooth, if there is any jerkiness in it, then the box is on its last legs. Most people recomend to change the oil regularly (every 40k miles) and hopefully should avoid any problems, even though the box is supposed to be sealed for life.

Rust is the other big concern, so watch out for that when you're looking at C43's. If the car has FMBSH and hasn't had any bodywork done outside M-B then they should cover it with the Mobilio waranty.

George 500

Original Poster:

647 posts

225 months

Friday 19th October 2007
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Thanks for that fella. Whats the handling like? Is it quick? And dare I ask how much Optimax it likes to swallow?

rubystone

11,254 posts

266 months

Friday 19th October 2007
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George 500 said:
Thanks for that fella. Whats the handling like? Is it quick? And dare I ask how much Optimax it likes to swallow?
Re fuel - £60 worth and you'll get 300 miles to that tankful if you drive it on a motorway for most of your journeys. A superb motorway cruiser - serious grunt on tap when you need it.

Hughinafrica

8 posts

207 months

Friday 19th October 2007
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I have had my C43 estate for just 3 weeks now but am going to book it in for a gearbox oil change ASAP as with a bit of research into it's last services it looks like it has never had one. Also I think that the axle ball joints seem to be something that seem to go quite regularly.

There are still a few low milers out there but you'll pay a premium for them. At a push you can get about 320 miles to a tank so I'd forget about the Optimax unless someone else is paying!

Howitzer

2,857 posts

223 months

Saturday 20th October 2007
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I use V-Power on my 500E as the very hot idle (After a run) is smoother with it and I see about an extra 10% range from my tank. I certainly don't have any performance benefit from it though.

Dave!